Fluid control device



Feb. 20,1951 A. KEMPTON 2,542,279

FLUID CONTROL DEVICE Filed April 6, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet l e g T i ZESLus fl. fifzw rom.

Feb. 20, 1951 L, A. KEMPTON 2,542,279

FLUID CONTROL DEVICE Filed April 6, 1945 3 Sheets$heet 2 22-2 Var-2.2m?

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* z ga Feb. 20, 1951 L. A. KEMPTON I FLUID CONTROL DEVICE Filed April 6,1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Fa. 2c, 1951 FLUID CONTROL ncvrcn LeslieA. Kempton, Chicago, 111., assignor to The Dole Valve Company, Chicago,111., a corporation of Illinois Application April 6, 1945, Serial No.586,997

9 Claims. (Cl. 137-144) The present invention relates to improvements influid flow control devices. More particularly, it is concerned with aform of fluid flow control device for selectively delivering a mixedfluid at a plurality of predetermined temperatures and for maintaining auniform rate of flow through said device for each of several varyingconditions.

In many fluid systems, such as the fluid system of an automatic washingmachine, it is desirable to provide water of different temperatures andin different quantities for each individual stage in the cycle ofoperations of such machines. Thus, it is desirable to supply hot waterfor the washing steps and water of somewhat lower temperatures for theone or more rinsing operations and the like which follow the washingstep. It is essential in such operations to conserve water andparticularly hot water as much as possible.

In the course of the cycle of operations of an automatic washing machinethe tub of the machine is filled with hot water for the initial washingstep to which soap or other suitable detergents are added. At theconclusion of the This formation or suds lock prevents proper drainageof the water from the machine. The collection of suds can be effectivelybroken up and removed by the introduction of additional water to the tuband the basket of the washing machine. To accomplish this water issupplied from the mixer valve which is employed in supplying water tothe tub for the several wash- Y ing and rinsing steps.

Inasmuch as the introduction of water to th tub for the purpose ofbreaking up the suds lock takes place during the time when the drainoutlet of the washing machine or the outlet pump is open and operating,the water merely flows through the machine. It will be understood thatif this rinse water is put into the tub at the regular rate of flow ofthe valve unit supplying the wash water or rinse water to the tub agreat deal of water will be employed and unnecessarily wasted.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a formof fluid flow control device which is not only capable of supplyingwater of at least two different temperatures for use in the severalstages of operation of an automatic washing machine but also to provideflow control means which will permit the introduction of a smallquantity of low temperature water for a rinsing step employed inobviating the occurrence of suds lock.

More particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide a novelform of fluid flow control device capable of accomplishing the purposeshereinabove outlined.

It is a furtherobject oiv the present invention to provide a singlecompact fluid flow control device for use with an arrangement having apair of automatic temperature control mixing valves both of which aresupplied from :a common hot fluid duct and a common cold fluid duct andcontrolling the flow of such fluid so as to maintain a constant flow ofthe desired pro-' portion for each individual operation of the devicewi-th which the unit is associated thereby effecting a material savingin the quantity of fluid required for each operation.

Another and still further object of the present invention is to providefor use with a pair of automatic temperature control mixing valveshaving different temperature setting, a novel fluid control unitincluding one shut-off valve for each mixing valve, a additionalshut-off valve forcontrolling a by-pass from one of said mixing valvesand constant flow maintaining devices for each of said shut-off valves.

Another object of the present invention is to provide valve means forhandling fluid embodying a plurality of shut-01f valves for controllingthe admission of fluid to a common passage defining unitary casinginterconnecting the several shut-off valves and a by-pass connectionextending between two adjacent shut-off valves to interconnect the sameindependently of the common passage.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide for usewith an automatic temperature control mixer valve having an outlet, aflow control device comprising a flow control means in the outlet, asecond flow control means, a by-pass from the first flow control meansto the second flow controlmeans, and a member defining a common outletand in.terconnecting both of the flow control means with the commonoutlet.

- The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of myinvention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. Myinvention itself, however, both as to its organization and manner ofconstruction, together with further objects and advantages thereof, maybest be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is an elevation of a fluid flow control device embodying thenovel teachings of the present invention and having parts broken awayand in section to illustrate its construction;

Figure 2 is an end view of the flow control device of Figure 1 withparts in section and broken away;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the fluid flow control device of Figure 1with a part of the apparatus illustrated in section; and

Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken along the line IV-IV in Figure 1.

It wi l be apparent from Figures 1 to 3, inclusive, that the fluid nowcontrol device or valve unit l6 which best illustrates the teachings ofthe present invention embodies a dual automatic temperature controlmixer valve comprising individual units l2 and I3 together with aplurality of shut-oil valves l4, l5 and I6. The valve unit l6, althoughit may be employed in the handling of any form of fluid, isadvantageously employed in supplying mixed water of diiferenttemperatures to an automatic washing machine or the like.

The dual mixer valve H has a casing l1 provided with a single pair ofbosses l8 and I9 to which suitable supply conduits for hot and coldwater respectively may be detachably connected. The bosses 8 and H! areconnected with inlet chambers 26 and 2|, respectively, of the unit l3 ofthe dual mixer valve H as seen in Figure 2 of the drawings. Suitablecheck valves such, for example, as the check valve assemblies 22indicated in Figure 3 are provided to prevent cross flow of the waterfrom one to the other of the units |2 or |3 of the dual mixer valve whenone of said units is delivering mixed water and the other is shut off.Substantially identical inlet chambers 26a and 2|a (the latter not beingshown) are found in the corresponding unit I 2 of the dual mixer valveII as will be apparent from Figure 3.

The inlet chambers 26 and 2| of the unit l3 connect with a mixingchamber 23 through the ports 24 and 25, respectively. The flow of hotand cold water from the ports 24 and 25, respectively, is controlled bymeans of a piston 26 which is reciprocably mounted therebetween. Thepiston 26 is provided with tapered portions 21 and 28 registeringgenerally with said ports 24 and 25, respectively, but never completelyclosing the ports. The piston 26 is actuated toward one extremity of itsreciprocatory pass by a suitable thermostatic power element 29 whichreacts to variations in the temperature of the mixed hot and cold watersupplies introduced to the mixing chamber 23 in a portion of which saidpower element is disposed.

The piston 26 has a compression spring 36 disposed at the end thereofoppositethe power element 29 to exert thereon a force which will opposethe action of the power element and keep the piston at all times incontact therewith. The power element 29 is mounted in the lower portionof the mixing chamber 23 and is supported in operating relation to thepiston 26 by a cup member 3|. The cup member 3| is provided with a cover32 and both said cup member and said cover are apertured to direct thepassage of the mixed water from the mixing chamber 23 along the wallmembers.

the power element 29 and thence through the outlet connection 33.

The .cup member 3| is disposed internally of the casing I! and issupported therein adjacent the bottom of the .mixing chamber 23 by meansof a ring 34 which is threaded or otherwise suitably fixed in placetherein. An end of the power element 29 extends through the base of thecup member 3| and the ring 34 for contact with an end of the piston 35slidably supported in the bore of a thimble or plug 38 secured in theopen lowermost end of the casing IT. The piston 35 has a snap ring 36 orother suitable means for limiting the endwise movement of the piston 35within the plug 39 and is backed by a compression spring 31. Thisassembly embodying the piston 35 provides a safety feature which enablesthe action of the power element 29 to be absorbed if for any reason itshould exceed such bounds as are necessary in the actuation of thepiston 26 for regulating the fiow of the water-through the ports 24 and2 5 into the mixing chamber 32.

It will be understood that the unit l2 of the dual mixer valve I I hascorresponding parts or elements to those just described in connectionwith the unit |3 illustrated in detail in Figure 2 of the drawings. Thecorresponding parts of the unit |2 bear similar reference numerals forthe purpose of simplification.

A suitable connecting means 46 preferably of one piece construction isadapted to support and connect together in operating relation aplurality of shut-off valves or other suitable means employed in thecontrol of the delivery of mixed water from the dual mixer valve In thiscase, the connecting means 46 supports the shut-oil valves l4, l5 and I6and defines a common passage 4| extending therethrough for directing themixed water from the dual mixer valve H to a common outet 42 asindicated in Figure 4 of the drawings. The connecting means 46' embodiesthe open-ended generally cylindrical portions 43, 44 and 45 foraccommodating the shut-off valves 4, l5 and I6, respectively.

Each of said cylindrical portions 43, 44 and 45 has a respective wallmember 46, 41, 48 mounted on one of the open ends of said cylindricalportions. The wall members 46, 41, 48 are secured in place as by meansof a plurality of plug members 49 each of which is inserted in theremaining open end of the respective cylindrical portions 43, 44, 45and. is adapted to be threaded into Suitable gaskets and sealing meansare employed in sealing the several joints between the parts.

The wall member 46 as will be seen from Figure 2 of the drawings isconnected to the outlet connection for the unit |2 of the dual mixervalve The wall member 48 has an internal well 49' in which is disposedthe port 56 having a collar like seat 5| for the flexible diaphragm 52which serves to control the flow of fluid through the port 56. Thediaphragm 52, which may be fabricated of rubber, artificial rubber,neoprene or other similar material, has a plurality of apertures 53extending therethrough and surrounding the centrally disposed insert 54defining a passage 55 which is adapted to extend into the end of theport 56 adjacent the seat 5|.

The diaphragm 52 is provided with a peripheral bead 56 which is securedin place as by means of the cap 51 threaded into the uppermost end ofthe wall member 46 against a suitable shoulder or the like cut into orformed on the wall of the well 49'. A suitable solenoid 58 is mountedexternally oi the wall member 48 on the cap 51 in such fashion that itsreciprocable core 55 which is provided with a tapered or cone-shaped endportion 60 thereon will upon energizing and deenergizing of saidsolenoid open and close the passage 55 to interconnect the chamber 6|formed above the flexible diaphragm 52 with the port 50.

It will be understood from Figure 2 of the drawings that when mixedwater is passed through the outlet connection 33 into the well 49' ofthe wall member 45, a portion will pass through the apertures 53 to-theupper side of the diaphragm 52 when the tapered end portion 60 of thecore 59 closes the passage 55 through said diaphragm or when thesolenoid 58 is deenergized. The diaphragm 52 will thus be in contactwith the seat and the port 50 will be closed to the passage of the mixedwater introduced to the well 49'. When the solenoid 58 is energized andthe core 59 is retracted the tapered portion 60 is removed from contactwith the passage 55 through the diaphragm 52 and permits the waterentrapped in the chamber 6| to flow through the passage 55 and the port50 into the cylindrical portion of the connecting member 40. In sodoing, a pressure differential is set up across the diaphragm 52 andthereafter the mixed water entering the well 49' will be enabled toraise the diaphragm 52 off the seat 5| to permit said water to passthrough the port 50.

The shut-off valve units l4 and I5 are general-.- ly similar in theirconstruction to the unit l6 hereinabove described in detail. Thus,correspondingparts of the shut-off valve units l4 and I5 bearcorresponding reference numerals to those applied to the same parts inthe shut-01f valve unit l6. The only difference in the several shut-01fvalve units of the fluid flow control device II] of the presentinvention lies in the fact that the wall member 46 associated withshutoff valve I4 and the wall member 41 of the shutoff valve I5 areprovided with a by-pass coupling 63 which interconnects the respectivewells 45' v of said wall members 46 and 41 so as to communicate the well49' of the wall member 46 with the mixer valve I2 of the dual mixervalve Thus, mixed water from the unitI2 of the dual mixer valve Il maybe supplied to the shut-off valve unit I4 irrespective of whether or notthe shut-off valve I5 is open.

Each of the plug members 49 employedin securing the wall members 46, 41and 48 in place on their respective cylindrical portions 43, 44 and 45on the connecting means 40 is provided with an axially extending bore 64therein connecting with cross bores 65 and 66 which register with theinterior of each of said cylindrical port ons.

The cross bores 65 and 66 are interconnected at I their ends by theannular passage 61 extending above the outer periphery of the plug 49. Agenerally cylindrical insert 68 is press-fit or otherwise suitablysecured in the counterbore 69 adjacent the end of the plug member 49which engages the wall member 48 as seen in Figure 2 of the drawings.

The insert 68 forms adjacent one end thereof a support for a flexiblewasher 10. The centrally disposed aperture II extending to the washer I0is preferably of a cross-sectional diameter which is smaller than thatof the port adjacent which it is disposed. On the opposite side of thewasher III from the port 50 there is provided a tapered or substantiallyfunnel-shaped opening of considerably larger cross-section even at itssmallest end than that of the aperture II in the washer 15. The washerIII which is fabricated of rubber, artificial rubber or other suitableflexible material is adapted to flex with respect to the tapered outlet2 to automatically control or adjust the size of the aperture II withchanges in the pressure of the mixed water passed through the port 56 inthe wall member 48 to maintain a constant flow of the mixed waterthrough the bore 64 and into the connecting cross bores 65 and 66 in theannular passage 61.

The fluid flow control device I0 is particularly advantageously adaptedto use with an automatic washing machine in which a suitable timer orother sequential operating means is employed to energize and deenergizethe several solenoids 58 associated with the shut-oil valves I4, I5 andI6 so as to control the delivery of mixed water of varying temperaturesand quantities to the tub or container in which the washing operationsare to be performed. For example, the unit I3 of the dual mixer valve IImay be adjusted by the provision of the proper temperature setting ofthe power element 29 to provide mixed water at a temperature of 140 F.such as is commonly employed in the washing operation performed intheconventional washing machine. The unit I2 of the dual mixer valve IImay, on the other hand,

he set to provide mixed water at a temperature of F. such as may beemployed in the rinsing operation performed as one of the steps of thewashing cycle of an automatic washing machine or to be us-d in certainwashing operations as well. As indicated in Figure 3 of the drawings theshut-cit valve I5 is interconnected with the unit I2 of the mixer valveII as by means of the outlet connection 33a while the shut-oil? valve I6is connected with unit I3 through the connection 33.

It will beunderstood, therefore, that in the operation of the automaticwashing machine, as determined-by the timer or other control meansemployed, mixed water of the desired temperature will be delivered fromthe common outlet connection 42 by the operation of the proper shut-offvalves I5 or I6 depending upon the temperature of the water required forthe given operation. The washer 'II) employed in connection with theshut-off valves I5 and I6 will have the same size aperture II so thatboth units l2 and I3 of the dual mixer valve II will deliver the samequantity of mixed water through the outlet connection 42 in the sameintrval of time.

At certain times in the operation of the ordinary automatic washingmachine, however, it is desired to provide a somewhat lesser quantity ofwater than will be provided by the operation of the shut-01f valve I5,for example. Thus, when the diaphragm 52 is in contact with the seat 5|in the shut-off valve unit I5 mixed water from the unit I2 of the dualmixer valve |I may pass through the outlet connection 33a into the well49' in the wall member 41 of the shut-oilf valve I5, thence through theby-pass connection 63 and into the well 49 of the wall member 46associated with the shut-off valve I4. The washer I'Ia associated withthe shut-off valve I4 has an aperture 'IIa which is of considerablysmaller crosssection than the washers I0 of the shut-off valves I5 andI6 so as to deliver a constant quantity of mixed watr at a somewhatlesser constant rate of flow from the shut-off valve I4 to the commonoutlet 42 of the connecting means 40.

The structure of the fluid flow control device In of the presentinvention embodying the auxiliary shut-oil valve and by-pass connectionis particularly advantageous in that it provides an opportunity tointroduce a smaller quantity of mixed water irom one of the units of thedual mixer valve II to the container of the automatic washing machine,for example, for-the performance of a spray rinsing operationimmediately following the washingstep and preceding the final rinsingstep.

It will, of course, be understood that any combination of the componentunits may be employcd to provide different quantities and temperaturesof mixed water afforded by each of the shut-Ofi'.valve units employedsingly or in different combinations. Such combined operations, however,depend upon the setting of the timer or control means which is employedfor energizing and deenergizing the solenoid 58 of the several shut-offvalves l4, I and I6.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of constructionmay be varied through a wide range without departing from theprinciplesof this invention and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit thepatent grant-d hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of theappended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. Valve means for handling fluid comprising a unitary casing having aplurality of open-ended chambers joined together to form a commonpassage with a single outlet therefor, a shut-off "valve having an inletand an outLt and 'a well portion therein mounted on one end of eachchamber, said well portion being in communication with the inlet. a plugmember inserted in the opposite end of each chamber arranged to secureeach shut-oil valve to each chamber with the outlet of, the shut-01fvlave in communication with the chamber, flow control means in said plugmember for coacting with the shut-off valve to maintain a uniform flowof fluid into the chamber and thence to the common passage ing in eachplug member for maintaining a constant flow o1 fluid therethrough,automatically with which it is connected, and by-pass means chambersjoined together to form a common passage with a single outlet therefor,a shut-ofi valve having an inlet and outlet therein mounted on one endof each chamber, a plug member inserted in the opposite end of eachchamber arranged to secure each shut-oil. valve to each chamber with theoutlet of the shut-off valve in commuication with the chamber, flowcontrol means in said plug member for coacting with the shut-off valveto maintain a uniform flow of fluid into the chamber and thence to thecommon passage with which it is connected, and a by-pass connectionbetween the inlet of one of the shut-off valves and the inlet of anotherof the shut-off valves independent of the common passage.

3. Valve means for handling fluid comprising a unitary casing having aplurality of open-ended chamber portions joined together by integrallyformed connecting means to form a common passage having a single outlet,a well member having an inlet and an outlet and a valve seat thereinmounted on an end of each chamber, a separate plug member for eachchamber and arranged to secure each well member to each chamber, saidplug members each having an opening extending therethroughinterconnecting the chamber and the outlet of the well member, means inthe openoperable valve means in each well member for engaging the seattherein, and means interconnecting the inlet side of the well associatedwith one of "said chambers with the inlet of an'adjacent wellindependently of their connections through the passage in the casing.

4. Valve means for handling fluid comprising a unitary casing havingaplurality of open-ended chamber portions joined together by integrallyformed connecting means to form a common passage having a single outlet,a well member having an inlet and an outlet and a valve seat thereinmounted on an end 01 each chamber, a flexible diaphragm valve in eachwell member for contact with the seat therein to open and close thepassage of fluid through said well member, a pilot valve for controllingthe operation of the diaphragm, a solenoid for selectively operating thepilot valve, a plug member inserted in the other end of each chamberarranged to secure the outlet 0! each well member to each chamber, saidplug member having an opening therein interconnecting the chamber andthe outlet of the well member, means in the opening in each plug memberfor maintaining a constant flow of fluid therethrough, and a by-pas'sconnection between the inlet side of the well associated with one ofsaid chambers with the inlet of an adjacent well.

5. Connecting means for a fluid flowcontrol device embodying a pluralityof flow control units, said connecting means comprising means definingacommon enclosed passage, a plurality of openended generally cylindricalportions arranged at spaced intervals along the passage defining means,a common outlet connecting with the passage-defining means, a wellmember having an inlet and an outlet mounted at one of the open ends ofeach cylindrical portion, and a plug member disposed at the other openend of each cylindrical portion having a part extending through thecylindrical portion and arranged to secure the outlet of each wellmember to an associated cylindrical portion in communication therewith.

6. Connecting means for a fluid flow control device embodying aplurality of flow control units, said connecting means comprising meansdefining a common enclosed passage, a plurality of open-ended generallycylindrical portions arranged at spaced intervals along the passagedefining means, a common outlet connecting with the passage-definingmeans,.a well member having an inlet and an outlet mounted at one of theopen ends of each cylindrical portion, a plug member disposed at theother open end of each cylindrical portion having a part extendingthrough the cylindrical portion and arranged to secure the outlet of thewell member to said cylindrical portion in communication therewith, andfluid passage means interconnecting the inlet of one well member withthe inlet of another well member independently oi! the passage definingmeans.

7. Valve means for handling fluid comprising a unitary casing having atleast three open ended chambers joined together to form a common passagewith a single outlet therefor, a shut-off valve having a well havingan-inlet and an outlet, said valve being mounted on one end of eachchamber, a plug member inserted in the opposite end of each chamberarranged to secure the shut-ofi valve to said chamber with the outlet ofthe well member for coacting with the shut-oil valve to maintain auniform flow of fluid into the chamber and then to the common passagewith which it is connected, and means interconnecting the inlet side ofthe well of one of the shut-off valves with the inlet side of the wellof another of the shut-off valves independently of the common passage.

8. In a fluid control device, a plurality of automatically operatedshut-ofi valves each having a well with an inlet and an outlet, a fluidconnecting means for said valves comprising a unitary fluid passagedefining means having a generally cylindrical portion at each endthereof and at least one such portion disposed between said endportions, all of said cylindrical portions being open-ended, a commonoutlet from said passage defining means, each well of said valves beingmounted at one of the open ends of each cylindrical portion incommunication therewith, a plug member inserted in the other open end ofeach cylindrical portion arranged to secure each shutoiT valve thereto,a metering device in each plug member for controlling the volume offluid introduced to the passage defining means from the well member,each well member having a valve seat, each shut-off valve having a valveelement registering with an associated valve seat in each well, and aseparate solenoid operated pilot valve for controlling operation of eachvalve element.

9. In a fluid control device, a plurality of automatically operatedshut-off valves, each having a well with an inlet and an outlet, fluidcoupling means for said valve and comprising an open ended generallycylindrical shaped mounting portion for each shut-off valve, couplingportions formed integrally with and interconnecting said mount- 7 ingportions and forming a single passage therebetween, a common outlet fromone of said coupling portions, each well member having communicationwith a mounting portion, a separate plug member extending through eachmounting portion and arranged to secure a shut-off valve to eachmounting portion, means in each plug member for controlling the flow offluid from the shutoff valve associated therewith through the passagedefined by the coupling portions, and fluid passage meansinterconnecting the inlets of at least two of the well membersindependently of said coupling portions.

' LESLIE A. KEMPTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

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